What a busy week it was! We explored different elements of numeracy, literacy and fine arts and sensory exploration connected to the changes that happen in late fall, as well as the seasonal event of Halloween! Although not every family celebrates this day, we explored some common elements that are present in this festive day and looked a little closer at some pumpkins! Students got to examine and draw two very different sized pumpkins. After our week exploration asking questions such as "Which was heavier? which was lighter?" we weighed both on the scale just to compare the sizes. We also measured the circumference of each using a string. Students also created some story-scenes using different sizes and shapes of paper. Following a pattern, they had to put the scene together using the paper. They also got to try some festive stamps to create both a setting and practiced using stencils to create characters. To finish off the week, we read Pete the Cat & the Five Little Pumpkins and created some black cats and pumpkins to re-tell the tale.
We have been looking at various festive themes this week leading up to Halloween, and one of the subjects that came up was skeletons. We read the book "Dem Bones" and talked about the different bones in our bodies--what are they connected to? What do they help us with? Many of the students talked about how skeletons aren't as scary when we think about how they are bones inside of our own bodies. We then got to work with our grade 6 buddy class to create our own skeletons using Q-tips, glue, paper and paper. Each was slightly different in terms of how the body was put together, but students discussed the common features each skeleton has, and how when bones move, the rest of the body moves with it.
Kindergarten students have an opportunity each day to explore and discover concepts related to early numeracy, early literacy, fine arts, social studies, science and movement and manipulation through what we call 'exploration centers'. These centers are hands-on and interactive in nature. These centers are set up for one week and then changed to reflect different skills or inquiry topics we are exploring. This week, students had a chance to explore numbers 1-10, upper and lower case letter matching, creating letters with molding clay, create a fall scene using our imagination station, manipulate scissors at our cutting station, look more closely at the items collected from our nature walk, as well as look at and create patterns using different colored and shaped beads.
After our nature walk to Riley park, students had some excellent questions about insects and where they go and what they do when the weather gets colder. A specific question that came up was about bees. Where do they live in the fall and winter? Our classroom Education Assistant, Mrs. Little, happens to know quite alot about bees, as she even has her own hive at her house! Students were very excited to learn more about bees, how they make honey, explore the honeycombs using magnification glasses, look at some photos of the hives, as well as try some of the honey. It was a great morning full of lots of questions and wonder...
What better way to experience the changes in the season then to go outside! As part of our daily morning routine, we as a class discuss the weather. What we notice when we are walking or driving to school. Is it sunny? Cloudy? Rainy? What about the season? Today, students were eager to explore the changes that have been happening outdoors since we are in the new season of fall. What do we notice about the sunlight and the temperature of the air? We went for an hour nature walk at the local park--Riley Park. Some of the questions that we explored: Why are some leaves yellow and some still green? What do we notice about the fall? Why are leaves on the ground? What are the different shapes and sizes of leaves? During the walk, students had the opportunity to collect leaves, twigs and pinecones in their own paper bags to bring them back into the classroom to look at with a magnifying glass and on the light table.
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Welcome to Kindergarten!This is our class blog. Monthly Archives
February 2016
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